With Romney on his way, Obama approves new aid to Israel

posted at 5:21 pm on July 27, 2012 by Erika Johnsen

Last week, with heavy bipartisan support, Congress passed a bill affirming various routes of strategic cooperation between the U.S. and Israel. Earlier today, President Obama signed the United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act, as well as authorizing $70 million in military assistance — affording him the perfect opportunity to try and counter some of the barbs coming his way from the staunchly pro-Israel crowd in light of Mitt Romney’s trip overseas. See, guys — he has done something concrete!

The legislation “underscores our unshakeable commitment to Israel,” Obama said as he signed it into law in the Oval Office. He also announced an additional $70 million in military aid intended to support the expansion of Israel’s short-range rocket defense system, Iron Dome. …

“As many of you know, I have made it a top priority for my administration to keepen cooperation with Israel across the whole spectrum of security issues, intelligence, military, technology,” Obama said Friday. “In many ways what this legislation does is bring together all the outstanding cooperation that we have seen really at an unprecedented level between our two countries to underscore our unshakeable commitment to Israel’s security.” …

“I hope that as I sign this bill once again everybody understands how committed all of us are, Republicans and Democrats, as Americans to our friends in making sure that Israel is safe and secure,” he said.

The Romney camp has been steadily accusing Obama’s White House of being less-than-steadfast in their attitude toward Israel, and let’s all hope that Romney’s visit to Israel will be perhaps a wee bit smoother than his his somewhat clumsy social graces in London — but, according to BuzzFeed anyway, all this back-and-forth may very well be just for the benefit of America’s very vocal pro-Israel factions. Who knows what the consensus might be, but at least a few senior Israeli officials don’t see many consequential differences in Romney and Obama’s actual policies:

“What’s important for us is policy — and we have little to criticize about what President Obama has done, and what Mitt Romney promises to do,” said one top security official who would only discuss American politics on the condition of anonymity.

Other current and former Israeli officials interviewed by BuzzFeed this week echoed a similar sentiment.

While Romney has accused Obama of allowing “daylight” between the White House and Israeli leaders and pledging to make Israel a stop on his first presidential foreign trip, Israelis say they are flattered by the attention, but don’t see a major difference in the outcome of the election.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s relationship with Obama may at times be icy, but “it works,” said a diplomatic official.

Hmm. I see what they mean: Israel enjoys bipartisan support in America while our president and his challenger fight to show who can be a better BFF to the Jewish state; where’s the downside? But Krauthammer maintains that Obama’s longtime attitude toward Israel hasn’t been quite as rosy as the White House is trying to paint it:

And then there is Israel, the most egregious example of Obama’s disregard for traditional allies. Obama came into office explicitly intent on creating “daylight” between himself and Israel, believing that by tilting toward the Arabs, they would be more accommodating. …

In Israel, Romney will undoubtedly say nothing new. He’ll just reiterate his tough talk on Iran’s nuclear program. But I suspect he’ll let the Israelis know privately that, contrary to the conventional wisdom that his hawkishness signals his readiness to attack Iranian nuclear facilities, his real intent is to signal that, unlike Obama, he is truly committed to permitting Israel to do what it needs to defend itself. This will be welcome news to a nation that has never asked anyone to fight on its behalf, just a green light to defend itself without impediments or veiled threats from its friends.

Breaking on Hot Air

Blowback

Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.

The legislation “underscores our unshakeable commitment to Israel,” Obama said as he signed it into law in the Oval Office. He also announced an additional $70 million in military aid intended to support the expansion of Israel’s short-range rocket defense system, Iron Dome. …

Signed on a trash can lid, after a lengthy dinner.
We know where your loyalties lay, bow boy.

Somehow I just knew bho/team would come up with something like this when they learned Mitt was going to Israel. I bet they have been working 24/7 since the news came out to discredit Mitt’s visit? But, Bibi is WAY smarter than bho gives him credit and know a con artist when he sees one and bho is about as con as you get!

This bill has been around a long time, and they just “happen” to pass it right now. Found in the language of the actual bill:

(1) in the matter preceding the first proviso, by striking ‘September 30, 2011’ and inserting ‘September 30, 2015’; and

(2) in the second proviso, by striking ‘September 30, 2011’ and inserting ‘September 30, 2015’.

Yep, you read it right. This is something scraped out of a dusty file cabinet somewhere, had the dust blown off it for the reelection of the obamessiah. Such a cynical bunch, to withhold this until it was politically convenient.

Why are we subsiding a country that has the same living standard as us? I don’t know how any one can call themselves a fiscal conservative and have anything to do with the financial support of well off country that competes against our manufacturers.

Why are we subsiding a country that has the same living standard as us? I don’t know how any one can call themselves a fiscal conservative and have anything to do with the financial support of well off country that competes against our manufacturers.

aniptofar on July 27, 2012 at 5:45 PM

What does their income level have to do with the wisdom of supporting them or not?

Anyone listen to Rush today? He made the PERFECT statement that Teh Won’s admin is spending vicariously and as fast as they can….to continue to put us all into the poverty level. Sorry, I don’t believe that Teh Won’s signature did this. I will bet dollars to donuts that at least 3/4 of this money is going into the demons coffers…..Teh Won says one thing and we find out he’s done another….just sayin…. *ugh* I pray I’m wrong……

God you a lot of you folks really are conspiracy people, huh? Multiple comments about how this was engineered by 0bama to counter Romney’s, but this is something congress passed. Did axelrod call up the house republicans to coordinate too in the last few days? They can do that? Get congress to create a pass a bill in days from the White House at will? Geez, I’m surprised so little ever gets done beyond naming post offices and sending checks to Israel, the two things that never get filibustered.

Why are we subsiding a country that has the same living standard as us? I don’t know how any one can call themselves a fiscal conservative and have anything to do with the financial support of well off country that competes against our manufacturers.

aniptofar on July 27, 2012 at 5:45 PM

Same reason we pay for Europe’s military. And much of Taiwan’s. And South Korea. And parts of Latin America… Money carefully spent, together with perceived strength, created the last century’s Pax Americana. Unless you’re a commie, why end that?

Bad news, Barry: I think everyone knows you’re trying to suck up and steal the moment. Bibi can’t stand you and everyone knows it. He actually is personal friends with Mitt. They worked together in consulting.

I guess when people work together, they learn a lot about each other. It’s a shame you never got a real job, Barry. From what we hear, you are not a real people person, so it probably would not have helped you.

The bill was introduced at the beginning of March and of the 72 co-sponsor, 35 are Republicans, just 2 independents shy of half, that’s a hell of a long con folks. They must be pretty prescient to have known Ole’ Mitt was gonna be heading to Israel at right the right time and had a hell of a lot of republicans on board with the scheme.

Oh right, I know, I know, those Republicans were just duped by the evil genius of destruction that is the 0bama white house. Sorry.

Why are we subsiding a country that has the same living standard as us? I don’t know how any one can call themselves a fiscal conservative and have anything to do with the financial support of well off country that competes against our manufacturers.

aniptofar on July 27, 2012 at 5:45 PM

No matter what people think of supporting Israel it needs to be noted that they are our friends AND they are surrounded by millions and millions of people who want to kill them. This is really not that difficult. You probably need a geography class to start.

Teh Won is sooooooooooo FOS! Imagine, it’s sooooo apparent that Teh Won did this in time with Mitt’s visit to Israel…..spare me…..and of course, (little howdy-doody) Jay Carney is backin him up. I can not wait for NOVEMBER! ugh

In the meantime, those dastardly Zionist Jews in Israel have managed to reverse ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease)- and are working on using the same methodology to combat MS and Parkinsons – in Jerusalem, no less!

Idea: the POTUS goes on TV and publicly announces that only the few nations that supported us in Iraq/Afghanistan get taxpayer-funded aid of any kind. The rest can go pound sand because we are this close to bankruptcy.

oh, and genius, a lot of the so aid that we give to israel are used to buy our jets, including a $2.75 billion agreement to buy 19 F-35 jets, which was signed in October 2010…so go figure whose economy that helps…not that any of this would ever get through that thick head of yours…